Nuangola Borough breaks ground on sewer project

Two weeks ago ground was broken for the $9.3 million Nuangola Borough sanitary sewer system, a project that some residents wondered would ever get under way and others, despite their public disclaimers, hoped would never happen.

Over the past eight years, I've written scores of stories on the plan to install sewer in the borough. More than once, I wrote about how the project had moved closer to fruition, and then the next month having to detail setbacks that seemed would delay it forever. The obstacles included Act 537 plans that had to be re-written over and over, a lawsuit over the planned route of the sewer line that required a re-design, threatened loss of funding by federal agencies, threats of legal action by the state Department of Environmental Protection and countless hours of debate at borough council meetings.

Through it all, there was a determined group of residents who realized the need for sewers in the lake community and refused to give up. One of those was Charles Shea, an original member of the borough's sewer authority who served two years as its chairman. "It has certainly been a long, difficult road," Shea commented when I asked him how he felt when ground was finally broken for the project. "It's not over yet," he cautioned. He pointed to a $5.5 million bridge loan from Fulton Bank which council guaranteed at last week's meeting, but not without opposition.

"This project was an absolute necessity for this community for decades," Shea offered. "This is a lake community that requires sewers. Unfortunately, it was obstructed much longer than it should have been," he added. He said the acrimony caused by the sewer has hurt the community. Shea, who has lived in Nuangola much of his life, pointed out the project has caused discord and distrust in the borough. "People should be pulling together. Instead, the borough is pulling apart," he remarked.

"This community can't be proud of the way the project proceeded," Shea admonished. "It's finally started, four years and $2 million (in additional cost) later."

The resident credited the perseverance of people in the community who saw the need for sewers and state and federal agencies who stayed with the project. He lauded officials of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who helped the sewer authority secure a $4 million grant and a $4.47 million loan for the project.

Shea also pointed out the lengthy delay in the project has affected the lives of some residents.

One of those was Ted Holmberg who, along with his wife, gave up plans to build a new home on his lakefront property. "It was going to be our dream home," Holmberg told me. He explained he and his wife bought a small cottage in 1986. When they decided they wanted to build a new home on the property in 2000, they were unable to get a permit for a septic system from the borough because the proposed septic system was less than 100 feet from a neighbor's well, a common situation in the community. Because the state Department of Education wanted the borough to move forward with the sewer project, it refused to grant Holmberg the waiver he needed.

The Holmbergs eventually bought a home in Fairview Township and recently sold their lake property. "It dragged out so long we decided we didn't want to live in that kind of political environment," Homberg told me.

Police get the OK to purchase two computers

Rice Township police will soon have a new law enforcement tool at their disposal. Township supervisors recently approved the purchase of two computers to be installed in police vehicles. The equipment and installation, which will cost about $7,000, will be purchased from a company under contract with Luzerne County. Supervisors also approved renewal of the police department's "Alert" software service agreement. The township, like many other municipal departments, uses the software to collect data and compile reports.

The police department isn't the only Rice Township department that will be getting new equipment. Supervisors voted to buy a 48-inch rotary cutter to be mounted to a road tractor for grass cutting. Cost of the equipment is $23,892.

Leaf collection program will continue this year

Rice Township road master Miller Stella Jr. advised me the township will continue its leaf collection program this year. Collection will be held from Oct. 17 through Nov. 16. Stella emphasized leaves must be in clear bags in order to be collected.

State Rep. Gerald Mullery asked me to remind residents of the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs they may have accumulated unwanted. A National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 29. The Pennsylvania State Police and some local law enforcement agencies are participating. Local collection sites include the Wright Township Police Department, 321 S. Mountain Blvd.

Registration to be held for roller hockey program

The Wright Township recreation committee is moving ahead with its pilot street/roller hockey program. The league will play its games at the Wright Township ice rink. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 at the township park.

The league is open to players from age six up to teenagers. Players should be accompanied by a parent at registration. For information, call Michael Stair at 474-5807 or email michaelmstair@gmail.com.

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